Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2003
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Barry Joneson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

DRUG TREATMENT CENTRES SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY

The Jan. 4 article "Safe injection sites will draw key users" says only 37 
per cent of the addicts surveyed were interested in using a safe injection 
site. It seems like an awful lot of money to spend on an initiative that 
the large majority of intravenous drug users have no interest in supporting.

The reality is that all addicts, whether they use safe injection sites or 
not, will still have to use whatever means they are using now to buy drugs. 
Safe injection sites will do nothing to alleviate the crime problem 
associated with drugs.

According to statistics by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, there 
were 181 overdose deaths in 1999 despite all the money being spent on harm 
reduction initiatives. That was a decrease from the early 1990s, but 
overdose deaths in Vancouver are also down from what they were then when 
strong heroin was on the market.

Addicts who have used safe injection sites told me they were convenient 
because the dealers were close by. They could push the envelope on how high 
they could get because they knew someone would be there to revive them.

Proponents have stated the sites will bring addicts into contact with 
health services that will help them get into treatment. Do they not realize 
we don't have enough beds for those who would like to go into treatment now?

As a recovering addict who has talked to many other addicts in recovery, 
particularly those who were IV drug users, one thing is clear. By the time 
one gets to a point of shooting drugs regularly, they are very aware of 
what services are available. The only thing that can help them to change 
their life is desire -- and that has to come from within. Addicts in 
recovery tell me that is a largely attainable goal with supportive treatment.

The question comes down to whether taxpayers want to fund programs that 
enable drug use. If a loved one was drug addicted, would you rather there 
be an adequate treatment support system or would you rather the money be 
spent on programs that caretake them while they continue to destroy their 
lives using drugs?

Barry Joneson

Burnaby
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MAP posted-by: Beth